Jake Mack and The Lesser Stags

Jake Mack and The Lesser Stags

Jake Mack is an Americana and blues-based Rock artist out of Chicagoland specializing in original material and select covers. Heavily influenced by artists like The Who, Chris Whitley, Jason Isbell, and Sam & Dave, he ties these diverse styles together to create music that is gritty and soulful, yet at times, cleanly defined and refined.
Pleased to meet you. Here's the story:
I, Jake Mack, am a Rock, Blues, and Americana artist from Aurora, IL. I started playing guitar when I was 10, my dad showing me the basics, though he won't take much credit for it. He and Mom thought I should start guitar lessons at some point, but I never cared for that idea much. What you hear is what came out my understanding regarding the mechanics of music, and the constant barrage of great music coming out of my parents' stereo growing up. I was brought up on the music of The Who, The Black Crowes, R.E.M., Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, and a multitude of others.
In high school, I cut my teeth with a few buddies in a band called the "Shin-Blasting Otters," playing some original material mixed in with plenty of covers. Later in my high school career, I would join a local cover band, "Real Deal," where I learned some of the business of playing locally in bars and venues. Around the same time, I would form and front my own power trio, "Sitticus," featuring more original material, and a giant repertoire of cover material. Both groups played in the span of roughly two years, and were pivotal for my development as a musician. I would go on to form "Jake Mack and The Last Stand", which had two incarnations between the years of 2011 and 2016.
In 2014, "Jake Mack Trio" was formed with Zach Goforth on bass, and Dan Knighten on drums. With this power trio, 2016 saw the release of my first full-length album and debut album for Jake Mack Trio, Moving On, featuring "Thunderbird," as heard on XRT's Local Anesthetic radio show, "Fading Star," as heard on WGN Morning news (September, 2016), and a local favorite, "Loser Town."
In late 2016, I formed "Jake Mack and The Lesser Stags," an Americana 4-piece, with local collaborators Adam Gardner on bass, Justin O'Connell on drums, and Sam Hubbell on lead electric guitar.
We're still writing the story, so check back frequently to see what else has happened in my career as a musician.
-Jake